Link Weekend/ International Night at Rotary Club of Portobello

Hello Friends,

I apologize for being so random with my blogs, but nevertheless I'm going to do my best to catch you all up to speed.

This past weekend, was LINK UK 2009. The Link Weekend is a time for all Rotary International Scholars, studying in the UK, to join together and spread and create "pockets of peace." It was a great weekend. After landing in Leicester, England (pronounced Lester) I was picked up by two extraordinarily nice Rotarians, Ian and Pam Inglis. Mrs. Inglis was from Leicester, while Ian was originally from Glasgow. Though it was way past their bed time, I was served a nice meal upon arriving to their home. They had a beautiful home in the English countryside in a small village known as Quorn. I felt instantly at home. After the meal, they both said, "if there is anything you need, this is now your house, so just help yourself." Such amazing people.

As I began to drift off into a deep sleep, I couldn't help but to smile. I was staying in complete strangers' house, but they felt like they could be family. Life is such a wonderful thing.

The following day, we travelled to the highest point in Leicester, known as Beacon Hill. The hill is covered with dozens of docile, sterile English bulls. Check the pictures to see. This time also gave me the opportunity to chat with Ian and I learned that he had lived and travelled all over the world, studying. You see, Ian earned his doctorate in Geology many years ago, and he had had the great opportunity of studying different sediments in remote and exotic regions of the world. I hope my life will turn out like Ian's. I hope that my work takes me all over. The power of travel opens so many doors.

After the hill adventure, I met up with the other scholars and toured Leicester. We were taken to the Town Hall, and the Lord Mayor gave a formal address to all the scholars. It was a very interesting experience. We got to sit in the council chambers, see an original Victorian courtroom, and have a cup of tea with the Lord Mayor in his fancy regalia. I know, Rotary Scholars are important people. Soon, we will be the movers and shakers of the world, so I hope you are all ready for a revolution.

The night at Link consisted of a traditional English dance, yes I partook, and Rotary socializing.

The next morning the Inglis' drove me to the final link event and drove down the main street in Leicester, and interestingly enough the majority of shops were Indian, Asian, Thai, Middle Eastern, and of course English. What is significant is that Leicester has a population of approximately 500,000 people, but it is one of the only cities in the world that doesn't have a distinct ethnic majority. One can see this truth driving down the street. A melting pot of races, cultures, creeds, and backgrounds all living and working side by side in this small English city.

I went to the last Link event, then it was time to say good bye. Ian said that I am more than welcome anytime in Quorn. He also mentioned that his Rotary club throws an annual fundraising Beer Festival in the spring, so I may have to make an adventure back to Quorn to create "Pockets of Peace," and sample some excellent beer. I then walked around Leicester with some other scholars slowly making our way back to the airport. Back to my new home, Edinburgh.

Portobello Night:

So tonight, all the Rotary Scholars in Edinburgh attended the Rotary Club of Portobello's International Night. A very formal, but very relaxed event. Each scholar had to stand in front of the crowd of 80 or so people and introduce themselves, and when I went there was a slight giggle in the crowd. I soon found out that Portobello has a link with Georgia, USA. And, the one's that giggled were Scottish students that studied in Atlanta, Athens, Carrollton, and Savannah. They were so happy to hear the famous Georgian accent, again, and eager to hear about my Georgia.

The most exciting part of the night, however, was when the Scottish-Georgia coordinator was called up to the podium to receive the "Paul Harris Fellowship." For those of you who don't know, Paul Harris founded Rotary, and thus an award in his name is the highest honor that Rotary International presents to the most selfless actors. Before they presented the award, many old Rotarians said they have never witnessed a "Paul Harris Fellowship" award take place. So, I guess you can say I have witnessed Rotary history. Damn.

To surprise the sweet winner, they had the District Gov. from Savannah on the phone to congratulate her for her achievement. I wanted to grab the phone and talk to him, but I think i'll just plan to look him up when, I mean If, I return to the states.

My studies are going great. The large amount of course work is helping the realization that I'm in graduate school.

I hope all is well with y'all. Take time to do something nice for yourselves today, and to relax. Remember, we live but once so let us embrace everyday to the fullest, and never look back.

Peace and Love.

Truly,

William

Pictures

Many people have asked about my pictures. If you will scroll down the left hand side you will find the word "flickr" and just below "Will's Photos!" Move your mouse over until you find the link, click, and you will be redirected to my photo/video gallery.

Thanks, and have a great day.

Peace.

Life is Beautiful.

I can't help but to boast. I am going to have an incredible year. I have been hear 1 week, and already my experience has been memorable.

Last week, some international students and I stumbled into an all night Jazz bar. It was awesome. A funky jazz band that moved the crowd with their beats. Towards the end of the night, a man from South Africa came and began to rip the saxophone. You could feel the passion as he hit each note. Especially, while he battled the guitarist who offered his own beautiful riffs.

Instantly, I was hooked to this city. I cannot believe the experience I have been given. Thank you, mom and dad, for always challenging me. For pushing me, and for allowing me to spread my wings. Thank you, Judge Bailey, because of your determination, I am in Edinburgh. Thank you, Reinhardt Profs., for believing and helping me to believe. Rob, I couldn't ask for a better brother. We have so much to experience together, I look forward to the journey. Emily, I love you. I wish the best for you, and that you and Matthew's days are filled with many blessings.

I hold all of you, plus family and friends, close to my heart. I thank you for the time, the laughs, the arguments, and the memories. You have all helped to make my life beautiful.

This past weekend, I went flying. I joined University of Edinburgh's flying program, and I must say it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Flying a plane without an engine. You strap into a cockpit, wearing a parachute, and a pulley system throws your glider 1,200 feet in the air. Then, the pilot disengages and your are one with the sky. As we sailed, the sun became rather friendly and began to illuminate the area. The lake below shone a beautiful blue, and the green grass hugging the hillside made me sit and smile. I flew for 45 mins and it was so incredible. I can't wait to do it many, many times. In 40 flights, I can fly solo. How incredible that would be, to get my masters and be a glider pilot all at the same time. Life is beautiful.

Tonight, I went to The Royal Oak. The Oak, is an old pub that is known for folk music. A great girl named, Jess, told me about the place. A group of us ended up going, and the night was spectacular. Whoever wants to play, can. I sat and watched all sorts of people just play their souls. People coming and going, while taking turns jamming. Interestingly enough, the great saxophonist joined the event, and we had a great chat. We started to talk music, life, people, and how incredible we can be if we just accept it. LIfe is a beautiful thing, and we can make the most of the experience, if we choose, or we can let it pass us by. The time at the Royal Oak has pushed to me to keep experiencing. I'm gonna go find a cheap guitar tomorrow just so I can play around. Because I know that if I play with a mix of people only one thing can happen, i'll get better. The final person I spoke to was an old Scottish man, who played a little bit of everything. I told him about my experiences thus far, and how i've just stumbled into incredible music. Since I arrived in Edinburgh, great music has basically been slapping me in the face. And

he said quite inspiringly: you may as well embrace it, we only live once.

I am going to grow in so many ways this year. Thank you, everyone!

A nice day!

Today was a beautiful day in Edinburgh. I woke up, put on my flip-flops, and hit the street. I decided to take a back road, and it just happen to work out in my favor. There was a poster of Hendrix on a window, so I figured I'd check out what this store offered. I walked in and I was instantly blown away.... Within the shop, there is stacks upon stacks of CDs and Vinyls. (Probably over a million). I am a pretty tall guy, but compared to the stacks of music, I felt really short. This place had everything, and the owner was an extremely knowledgeable Scottish hippie, so that was cool. We started to chat, and he confessed his deep sentiment for Georgia and, of course, The Allman Brothers Band. We discussed the explosive stylings of Warren Haynes and Derrick Trucks, and the soulful blues of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Muddy Waters. Dougie, the hippie, was an absolute music lover. He told me stories of going all over the U.S. simply to collect vinyls. He has so many that only one person can come into the store at a time because the walkway is so small. He wrapped up our conversation with "Any album you want, I either have, or can get really easily."

As I started to leave the shop I looked down and saw a beautiful sight: STACKS OF LED ZEPPELIN VINYLS.

So family, friends, Rotarians, if there is a rare or great vinyl that you would like to have for Christmas, please let me know.

The rest of the day was great. I went to a Quaker Center that focuses on Peace and Conflict Resolution and they have ties with the Church of Scotland, so I think I might get involved and see what kind of "Pockets of Peace" I can create. Life is a beautiful thing.

Tonight is a pub crawl.

In Edinburgh

My last night in Belfast was good Craic. Fran and I had a nice party in Kelly Cellars, and before the band started, I picked up a guitar and jammed with some old Irish locals. It was cool. I need to find a guitar soon. Before the night ended, I met Benyatt. I knew Benyatt from when I lived in Ireland two years ago. Although we haven't had any communication over the last two years, when we spoke it was like we picked up our conversation where we left it off. He was discussing the issue with the Basque land (his home) and I talked about Georgia. He was excited that Europe has sucked me in, and I am back in the UK for another year.

I also learned that Benyatt may face prison time. You see, the Spanish gov't and the people of Basque Country don't really get along. The struggle lies in Franco's rule and the massacre at Guernica. A group emerged to defend Basque nationalism, ETA; which is very similar to the Irish Republican Army. At the same time there was another group forming in Basque country who believed in opposition, but only through peaceful marches and rallies. As a young adult, Benyatt was an avid member of the peaceful group. And, one day at a rally, he was arrested for sedition. He never struck anyone, he never picked up a weapon, nor did he fight back, but he was forced to serve 10 months in prison. The crazy thing is that was 10 years ago, and now the Spanish gov't is trying to link him and some of his compatriots to bombings and murders, but that's not Benyatt's style. He would much prefer talking someone to death, in Euskera, Spanish, or English, than to take violent measures. Trust me, I know. The first of Oct. Benyatt must face a Spanish trial to plead his case. If convicted, he may serve a maximum of 10 years in prison, or they could ban him forever from his home. A lose-lose situation. I hope it works out in Benyatt's favor. I think the government, and the Basque people, need to forgive and forget the struggle. As Desmond Tutu passionately wrote: "There is no future, without forgiveness," so if evolution is to take place. Everyone, as a collective body, must move forward.

After months of planning, reading, waiting, emailing, more waiting, researching, and planning, I have arrived in Edinburgh. I must say that it is far more beautiful than I remember. My room is like a college dorm room, except I have my own bathroom. And, my view is pretty incredible. When I look out of my window, I can see a beautiful cliff. Soon, I plan to climb it.

I walked around the city yesterday, and I know I picked the right city. It is very humbling to know that Rotary selected me to be an ambassador representing both Georgia and the States. The responsibilities that I have are tremendous, but I know I can do them. I'm excited to meet people, wherever they are from, and learn their views, tastes, and cultures. Travel is a beautiful thing. The best aspect of traveling for me, is it challenges one to grow. There may be time when you are put in precarious situations, or talk with people who completely disagree with what you believe. But, therein lies the beauty. The challenges forces us to open our mind and thing differently, regardless if we agree or not.

Ok. Kind of a random blog, but I guess that's what makes blogging so great. You can type whatever you want to, and it's alright.

Selling Paella´s by the seashore.

After 3 long flights, and a cup of coffe in my lap, I returned to Europe. I landed in Dublin and contacted my great friend de Caste llon, Fran. Fran had started a business in Belfast selling Paella. So, he told me to come to Belfast, and find him at the market. I did, and I was greeted with fresh paella con pollo. Muy Bien.

After the market, we drove around parts of Belfast seeing old friends and meeting new ones. I met one of Fran´s best friends who spècialized in elevations--EL Avion. The three of us sat and spoke on many different issues: life, happiness, peace, success, and all the while casually sipping cafe con leche while a beautiful aroma filled the atmosphere. Simultaneously, light rays began to dance through the window. I looked up and became entranced by the deep, blue sky. I just sat and smiled and thought ¨It´s great to be back!¨

Saturday: I became a paella seller. I travelled with fran to Hillsborough, NI to set up for a market. When we were done, we got in the car and drove to another location to another festival. Upon arrival, we thew together the paella mix and began to serve it up. The only problem, however, was the event was not very well attended. A few locals, but not much. The food that wasn´t sold, we packed up and gave away to the different vendors. So, I guess ¨pockets of peace¨ were created through paella. Awesome. It was an interesting experience. Fran has given me a paella kit, so I think I will prepare sometime in Ednburgh.

It is nice to be back in Belfast, and to see old friends. I am looking forward to going all over Europe and seeing friends from St. Mary´s, many reunions are in store.

I´m not sure what i´m going to do the next week, but it´s no worry. Fran and I may rent a car and drive around Ireland selling Paella and make some cash.

If you are travelling, I hope all is going well and you keep the party going.

Peace.